Janice McCombs Finally Named Rawhide's 'Belle of the Ballpark'

"It was great, at last. About time."

Those were the words of Belle of the Ballpark winner Janice McCombs when asked how she felt about winning the special honor for the 2024 season.

McCombs had come close multiple times, but up until this year fell short of receiving the memorable award.

The Belle of the Ballpark is given to the Visalia Rawhide fan who best represents the Rawhide Rustlers Club in honor and loyalty to both the team and the ballpark itself.

"McCombs, a season ticket holder since 2007, has certainly done that and more," said J.T. Gomez, production specialist for the Rawhide. "McCombs started coming to Rawhide games in 2006, not knowing that one day she would be one of the most respected and revered Rawhide fans, known by players, coaches, fellow ticket holders, front office staff and even umpires."

In order to be crowned the Belle of the Ballpark, Janice had to go through a number of trials and tribulations alongside two other competitors in a pageant-like setting. Her fellow contenders were Jana Fox and 2023 Belle of the Ballpark, Geraldine Oliver.

The trials and tribulations included competitions such as "cheek pinching," "strut yo stuff" in which competitors strutted through the 100 and 200 sections of the Kaweah Health Grandstands, and "yo mama jokes" told by each of the contestants.

Judges included Visalia Rawhide President Sam Sigal, American Quality Life Hospice Community Outreach Specialist Sharon Allison-Crook, American Care CEO Darren Peterson, and Rosemary Caso executive director of the United Way of Tulare County.

Fans also voted for their favorite contestant. In the end, Janice won the honors with a whopping 86% of the vote.